Author: smwance

Geeky suburban professional, movie buff, sometime traveler, attempted artist, amateur foodie and wine enthusiast who enjoys sharing stories about the little and not-so-little jaunts he takes when not buried in work or broke. He's often guilty of thinking he's cooler than he actually is, and most agree that his death will be from making a sarcastic remark at a painfully inopportune moment.

One might be tempted to say, “C’mon, it’s just a hat…” Okay, yes, it is just a hat. But as with many things in my life, it is more than that. I tend to be sentimental and get attached to certain belongings. Many of these are keepsakes with a lot of mnemonic value, clothes and … Continue reading Things Remembered…→

Since I began this blog, I’ve wanted to write down before senility ensues capture for posterity my first international trip – a tour of northwestern Europe back in June and July 1990.(1) My off-and-on labors for this story (i.e., remembering important events/details, outlining notes, writing and revising content, finding and scanning pictures/negatives, researching locations and … Continue reading European Tour – Introduction (June/July 1990)→

Warm Plane, Cold Welcome It is said that travel broadens the mind. While there’s plenty to learn from exploring foreign lands, experiencing different cultures and meeting new people, the act of travel itself provides its own valuable and pragmatic life lessons, as well. Globe-trotting involves everything from acting like a headless chicken running around to … Continue reading European Tour – Ireland (June/July 1990)→

Getting the Band Back Together A little surprised but much more relieved, I awoke the next day not beaten to a pulp by riled and inebriated Irish sports fans. The first homestay was at an end, and as per instructions, the mother dropped me off at the rally point. She quickly said goodbye (I assumed … Continue reading European Tour – London (July 1990)→

Claustrophobia on the High Seas The ferry sailed north up the English Channel and around the peninsula of North Holland. My time on boats and ships was almost non-existent very limited, so I never lived in tight quarters before, and this seemed a little apropos while heading for a small country. We were split up … Continue reading European Tour – Netherlands/Belgium (July 1990)→

Dirty Old Men Make Questionable Tour Guides We arrived in Paris anxious to see the “city of lights.” It was like any other metropolis (i.e., heavily congested, dirty), but as picturesque as I imagined. And given the city’s romantic reputation, it wasn’t much of a coincidence that the previously barely begun twosomes amongst our ranks … Continue reading European Tour – France (July 1990)→

Wash, Rhine and Repeat Somewhat refreshed from the respite in Strasbourg (mostly physically, but not as much spiritually for me), we crossed the Rhine River. Germany held personal interest for me since my Dad’s side of the family has German/East European origins.(1) The ride to Munich was the better part of the morning, arriving at … Continue reading European Tour – Munich (July 1990)→